Ohio Senate passes SB239 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix) and SB247 (Restoration of

[seeley booth]

you now can carry in a restaurant

FLASH: Ohio Senate passes SB239 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix) and SB247 (Restoration of Rights)

The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 239, which will allow citizens who hold a valid concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry a firearm in restaurants. To do so, license holders may not consume any alcohol and must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. According to OpenCarry.org, 42 states (including every state that borders Ohio) allow non-drinking license holders to carry firearms in restaurants.

The bill also reduces burdensome restrictions regarding how a license holder must transport a firearm in a car. Currently, Ohio is the only state to place such complex limitations on license holders.

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 247, which seeks to align Ohio law with federal statutes regarding the restoration of rights to Ohio firearms purchasers.

Ken Hanson, Legislative Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association, said, "These bills addresses three important issues facing Ohio gun owners and concealed carry license holders and seek to align Ohio law with federal law and the laws of our surrounding states."

Having passed with a 23-10 margin in the Senate, SB239 will now be taken up for consideration in the Ohio House, where the House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee has already held several hearings testimony on the House's version of restaurant carry (House Bill 203).

Likewise, SB247, having passed with a 23-10 margin in the Senate, will also now move to the Ohio House for consideration.

Senate vote tallies will be posted here when available.

Buckeye Firearms Association strongly urges the Ohio House expedite passage of these bills, and to send both to Governor Strickland before the summer recess.

SB239 - Voting "Yes":

Steve Buehrer (R-1)
Capri Cafaro (D-32)
John Carey (R-17)
Gary Cates (R-4)
Kevin Coughlin (R-27)
Keith Faber (R-12)
Teresa Fedor (D-11)
Bob Gibbs (R-22)
Karen Gillmor (R-26)
Tim Grendell (R-18)
Bill Harris (R-19)
Jim Hughes (R-16)
Jon Husted (R-6)
Shannon Jones (R-7)
Tom Niehaus (R-14)
Tom Patton (R-24)
Tim Schaffer (R-31)
Joe Schiavoni (D-33)
Bill Seitz (R-8)
Jimmy Stewart (R-20)
Mark Wagoner (R-2)
Chris Widener (R-10)
Jason Wilson (D-30)

SB239 - Voting "No":

David Goodman (R-3)
Eric Kearney (D-9)
Dale Miller (D-23)
Ray Miller (D-15)
Sue Morano (D-13)
Tom Sawyer (D-28)
Kirk Schuring (R-29)
Shirley Smith (D-21)
Fred Strahorn (D-5)
Nina Turner (D-25)

SB247 - Voting "Yes":

Steve Buehrer (R-1)
Capri Cafaro (D-32)
John Carey (R-17)
Gary Cates (R-4)
Kevin Coughlin (R-27)
Keith Faber (R-12)
Teresa Fedor (D-11)
Bob Gibbs (R-22)
Karen Gillmor (R-26)
Tim Grendell (R-18)
Bill Harris (R-19)
Jon Husted (R-6)
Shannon Jones (R-7)
Eric Kearney (D-9)
Dale Miller (D-23)
Ray Miller (D-15)
Tom Niehaus (R-14)
Tom Sawyer (D-28)
Joe Schiavoni (D-33)
Bill Seitz (R-8)
Mark Wagoner (R-2)
Chris Widener (R-10)
Jason Wilson (D-30)

SB247 - Voting "No":
David Goodman (R-3)
Jim Hughes (R-16)
Sue Morano (D-13)
Tom Patton (R-24)
Tim Schaffer (R-31)
Kirk Schuring (R-29)
Shirley Smith (D-21)
Jimmy Stewart (R-20)
Fred Strahorn (D-5)
Nina Turner (D-25)

[handgonnetoter]

Well, if that is how it is than that is great! I always thought it was stupid when a state issues CCW's and then puts all sorts of restrictions on them. Here in Indiana you are not allowed to carry in governmental buildings, schools, police stations etc. I guess I could understand court houses and places like that, but I will tell you. I think that if I was at a function, that my daughter's high school had going on, I would rather be armed. I guarantee that I would risk life and limb MORE than a cop would to save my daughters life, but that is the law so I abide by it. I would like to know why Ohio will not recognize my Indiana permit, even though Indiana recognizes Ohio's. Maybe it is because Indiana is not a picture I.D.? I don't know.

[HeartLunger]

you now can carry in a restaurant

No you can't!

It still has to pass the Ohio House and still has to be signed by our pro-gun Governor.

[THE DUKE OF ESSEX]

"I would like to know why Ohio will not recognize my Indiana permit, even though Indiana recognizes Ohio's. Maybe it is because Indiana is not a picture I.D.? I don't know." The answer I got to this question was that in Indiana you didn't have to go through all the training (12 hour class with 2 hours range time) to get a CCW. I am not sure though as I have a hard enough time keeping up with Ohio law.

[THE DUKE OF ESSEX]

Thanks for the post seeley booth. Another confusing issue that will hopefully get straightened out.